Since the passport card is apparently worthless, it is better to leave that than your actual passport. If you want to travel outside of the us, you will need either a valid us passport or a us passport card. Launching the irish passport card department of foreign. Our guide will show you the uses and advantages of each document, and will help you figure out which one is best for you, or if you should have both. The passport card is valid for 5 years or until your passport book expires. The passport card is only for land and sea travel, which means there is no way travelers can use the passport card to board a plane. Passport card the standard passport book covers all the bases. No, your book and card will have two completely different numbers. A traditional passport doesnt fit in a wallet and can be tedious to carry. Aside from the size, a passport book and a passport card difference is that the latter cannot be used when traveling abroad via air, the passport book is required. Additional usage of the us passport card under the real id act of 2005, a law passed to combat terrorism, the passport cards are also accepted as bona fide, federallyapproved identification for domestic air travel and entrance to federal properties that require such identification for access. Both documents are valid for 10 years for adults 16 and older, and 5 years for those under the age of 16. What is a us passport card, and how can you get one. Can only be used in land and sea travels, not by air.
The passport card is also a valid form of id so it is useful to have it on you at all times when traveling abroad. The traditional passport book is still required for most travel purposes. There are very important differences between the passport card and the passport book. One instance could be, if you want to travel to jamaica, youll need a passport book. May 17, 2011 i would get the passport book or nothing the birth certificate and the passport card seem equal in value to me you cant fly home with either, and that would be the point of getting the passport book if there is an emergency and you are in a foreign country, you cannot get on an airplane without a passport book, period, so it seems like a.
You have the freedom to choose which one you wish to have to depend on the country you are planning to travel to. Passport card for a reduced fee if you only plan to travel by land or sea to and from canada, mexico, bermuda, or the caribbean nations. Applicants who currently have a valid book will need. That is why in the us you can purchase a book with additional pages. Each passport book and card has a completely unique number. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison. You can apply for both the passport card and passport book at the same time using the same application. A passport book provides valid identification for any national or international travel. For travelers on tight budgets, who cruise roundtrip from the u. Passport card faq get answers to your passport card. The difference between a passport book or card getaway usa. We may be compensated if you make a purchase via a link on this site.
The us passport card does not contain any travel history and therefore officers should request a us passport book unless they are otherwise satisfied that the applicant continues to satisfy the residence requirement. There are many places in the us that can issue a us passport card. If you are traveling by air or to most countries, you will need a traditional passport book. Entering the united states at land border crossings and sea portsofentry from. But, we are thinking maybe we get a edl for me and go ahead and get him one too. Passport card department of foreign affairs and trade. The us passport card is a small passport card, about the size of a credit card, that contains your photo and identifying information. The us passport card is a credit card sized identification document. If you are traveling by air or to most countries, you will need a traditional passport book, with pages for your various visas. I applied to renew my passport this past summer, and i had the option of applying for a just a passport book, or b both a passport book and also a passport card, which can be used in certain intercountry travel situations cant remember what situations either. The state department never reuses them after a number has been used once, it is never used again.
You can use the irish passport card for travel within the european union and the. The passport card is not valid for international air travel. Currently, all citizens of the united states need a one or the other for international travel, even to neighboring countries such as mexico and canada. Also, if you get a passport card separately from your passport, it has a different number and expiration date also costs a bit more. I bet they will tell me to get the book but i think i will ask anyhow. What is the differences between passport book vs passport card. Is the passport book number the same as a passport number. Also, many countries require a specific amount of advance validity time usually 6 months after your planned travel dates and a certain number of blank pages be available in your book. A passport card looks like a drivers license or credit card in size. The passport card is only valid for land and sea travel to canada, mexico, and the caribbean. Just like the booklets, passport cards are valid for 10 years 5 years for minors under age 16.
The passport card is the size of a drivers license and is used for convenience as it is smaller and cheaper than the passport book. The passport card is available to all irish citizens who hold a valid irish passport book. The passport card contains a radio frequency identification chip as well as the traditional photograph and personal information found in a passport book. Embassy of the united states of america immigrant visa unit, consular section, bogota, colombia appointment package immigrant visas packet 34 this packet is intended only for individuals you are already scheduled for an immigrant visa interview. From passport cards to global entry, which trusted. The difference between passport and passport card us. It was designed for people who travel frequently between the us and canada, mexico, bermuda or the caribbean by land or sea. Adult passport cards remain valid for 10 years and cards issued to children under 16 years of age for five years. The good news is a passport card is generally valid for the same time and has the same application process as a 26 or 52page passport book. A passport card is cheaper than a passport book, but cant be used for air travel and is only valid in canada, mexico, bermuda, and the. The united states passport card is an official identity and limited travel document issued by the united states federal government in the size of a credit card. The passport card is a walletsize travel document that can only be used to reenter the united states at land bordercrossings or portsofentry by sea from canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda.
My passport was issued to me when i was 17 years old and now 10 years later i believe i am eligible to renew it. A us passport allows you to travel anywhere in the world by plane, car, or boat. The united states passport card is an official identity and limited travel document issued by the. The passport card is only valid for land and sea travel to. The passport card has the applicants photo and data printed on them. Aug 10, 2012 passport cards and passport books are no exception. May 11, 2017 from passport cards to global entry, which trustedtraveler program is right for you.
I would get the passport book or nothing the birth certificate and the passport card seem equal in value to me you cant fly home with either, and that would be the point of getting the passport book if there is an emergency and you are in a foreign country, you cannot get on an airplane without a passport book, period, so it seems like a. Whats the difference between a us passport book and card. Any us citizen wishing to travel internationally via air must have a passport book. Passport cards and passport books are no exception. Firsttime passport card applicants who do not have a passport book traditional passport must go in person to a passport application facility, such as a post office or courthouse, and submit a completed passport application form, proof of us citizenship, one passport photo and the required fee.
Learn more about how a passport card differs from a passport book. The passport number is usually generated when your application for a new passport is approved and is included in the personalized section of the passport along with your name etc. From passport cards to global entry, which trustedtraveler. For the us department of state visa application, there is a question about the passport book number, which is apparently different than the passport number. Vip passports and visa services united states passport agency specializes in american passports, us passports, passport renewals, passport applications, passports forms, birth certificates, notary services, visas, and passports in less than 24 hours. Us passport book vs us passport card us visa connection. If you have one, it will state so in your passport s identification page the page with your picture. It may often be used as an identity card for purposes other than international travel, such as domestic air travel. The us passport card allows you to enter the united states from canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda at sea ports of entry, land border crossings and is more convenient and cheaper than a passport book. Everything you need to know about a us passport card. The explanation in the side bar was not very clear and other searches gave answers that seemed to say it was the same as the passport number. Dh will need a full one for work, even though its been more than 10 years since hes traveled. The book number is assigned by the manufacturer at time of printing and is used primarily for stock control purposes. You will find an items asin on the product detail page alongside further details relating to the item, which may include information such as size, number of pages if its a book or number of discs.
Passport card faq get answers to your passport card questions. The difference between the numbers is two digits and the letter c. Oct 19, 2016 this is one of those subjects that is a little sour for me to talk about. Passport card can be used to enter the united states from canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda at land border crossings or sea portsofentry and is. Just a few years later, the number of passport cards issued rose to over one million. The card provides a less expensive, smaller, and more convenient alternative to the passport book for those who travel frequently to these destinations by land or by sea. Differences between a passport book and passport card.
I f youve wondered what the difference is between a passport book and a passport card, youve come to the right place. We dont use them other than to drive through canada. Be aware of the fact that a passport card is only valid for land and sea travel to canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda. Our passports expire in august and we are deciding what to get.
Apr 21, 2016 a passport card only applies to land or sea travel to certain locations internationally, which is noted on the back of the card. Department of state of the views or products contained therein. So if someone gets sick on a cruise and only has the passport card, they cant fly them home. The passport book is valid for all international travel. What is the difference between a passport card number and. You must have the original copies of all required documents. For other countries it is not the same thing as your passport number. The passport card will match the expiry date of your passport book, if you have less than 5 years validity remaining. If you are traveling within north america and are not traveling by air, you can use the new us passport card, which is simpler and less expensive to apply for. The us state department uses different number formats for books and cards. Do i have to apply for a passport book and a passport card at the same. Jan 06, 2009 if you apply for a passport card it will be issued valid for 10 years regardless of the expiration date of your passport book.
How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. That means you cannot use the passport card for air travel. More specifically, it can be used when entering the u. The passport book and passport card are both proof of your citizenship and identity while traveling outside of the us.
Apr 12, 2014 the us passport card in july of 2008, due to requests from residents along us borders for a more portable and easier application process than a regular passport, the united states department of state began issuing passport cards, a wallet sized identity card usable for international travel by land and sea, valid only for travel to. A passport book may not be a massive document by any means, but having something as small as the card to fit in your wallet is definitely less of a hassle. Aug 18, 2016 one is a passport book, the traditional passport with the pages that get stamped. Passport card vs passport book canada immigration forum. However, the passport card cannot be used for travel by plane.
Passport card frequently asked questions with answers. For uk and us passports the book number is the same as the passport number. Passport book numbers are 9 numerals long, and passport cards start with the letter c followed by 8 numerals. Your personal details must be an exact match of the.
Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport card. You can use it, while traveling through land, water or air transport. The passport card is a cheaper alternative to the passport book. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport. For the love of physics walter lewin may 16, 2011 duration. You can carry your passport card with you at all times and leave the passport book safe in the hotel room locker. The passport book comes as either 28 or 52 pages and is valid for five years. You can now apply for a passport book and a passport card. Passport books and cards are alternatives to a stateissued id. Embassy of the united states of america immigrant visa. This is a privately owned website and not a government agency. For books, the asin is the same as the isbn number, but for all other products a new asin is created when the item is uploaded to our catalogue.
In october 2015, ireland became one of the first countries in the world to launch a passport card. It contains several pages like the passport details page which provides the holders name,date of birth, passport expiry date etc as well as other blank pages for visa and immigration stamping a passport card is a portable pocket sized card similar to a credit card that fits in your wallet. Your passport book allows you to travel by land, by sea, or by air. Passport card difference between passport book and passport card u. Passport book vs passport card i f youve wondered what the difference is between a passport book and a passport card, youve come to the right place. But later it does talk about needed it to gain citizenship. Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the u.
Passport card vs passport book sep 16 cruise forum. Visa, mastercard, diners club international and american express cards are accepted. The passport book and the passport card have the same validity which is 10 years for children 15 years old or younger, the validity is only 5 years. A passport book functions in all ways a passport card is used and there is no need to obtain a passport card if you already have a passport book.
We have to build a passport card guide on how to get a passport card. Us passport books and us passport cards the differences. A passport book is larger and is most often in television shows or movies. In addition to this, we have passport card, this is a card which is used for only land and sea travel on the listed countries in italic on the card. You cannot use a passport card when traveling by air internationally. The passport card can be used only to reenter the u. A major complaint people have about passport booklets is their size and shape. If you are looking for instruction on how to get a u. Passport book for reentry into the united states from any country. I have the passport card, are the numbers the same. The passport book only covers land border crossings or seaport entry.
What is the difference between a passport book and passport card. Feb 12, 2019 the passport card is the size of a drivers license and is used for convenience as it is smaller and cheaper than the passport book. The given card will have a different number than your book, but a book is not needed to be eligible for one. For children age 15 and under, the passport is valid for 5 years and for adults 16 and older it is valid for 10 years. The other is the passport card, which is just like a drivers license. Nov 20, 2017 a passport book may not be a massive document by any means, but having something as small as the card to fit in your wallet is definitely less of a hassle. In such situations, a passport card comes in handy because it is the size of a credit card and fits nicely in a wallet. The passport card allows irish citizens to travel to 31 countries, including european union member states, the european economic area eea countries, and switzerland, without needing to carry their passport book.
Embassy of the united states of america immigrant visa unit. The passport card contains the same information as a passport book, with a size similar to a laminated stateissued drivers license. Whats the difference between a passport book and a. Itid numbers are like social security numbers in the way they are the same number of digits but they start with the number 9 and despite what most illegal workers are told, they do not make it legal to work in the us, they must still have work authorization cards issued by the uscis. The card provides a smaller, more convenient, and less expensive alternative to the passport book for those who travel frequently to these destinations by land or sea. There are a number of trustedtraveler program that can get you through customs faster. Jun 16, 2016 passport book numbers are 9 numerals long, and passport cards start with the letter c followed by 8 numerals. A passport card only applies to land or sea travel to certain locations internationally, which is noted on the back of the card. Unless you use the mobile passport app, youll have to stand in all the usual lines. If you still got any questions about us passport book and card, you can always contact travel visa pro.
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